Brain mechanical markers to find and guide treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus
Biophysically inspired mechanical biomarkers of normal pressure hydrocephalus
['FUNDING_R01'] · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · NIH-11306590
This project uses a special MRI that measures brain stiffness to help people with normal pressure hydrocephalus get a clearer diagnosis and better predict who will improve after a shunt.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11306590 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would have a noninvasive MRI scan called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) that measures how the brain moves and how 'stiff' it is. The research team will compare these mechanical measurements in people with NPH, people with Alzheimer’s symptoms, and healthy older adults to look for distinct patterns. They will refine the imaging and analysis so the scans give clearer signals about who is likely to benefit from ventriculoperitoneal shunting. The goal is to make the test accurate enough to help doctors decide on surgery and avoid ineffective procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults being evaluated for normal pressure hydrocephalus symptoms or being considered for shunt surgery would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are due to other irreversible neurodegenerative diseases without NPH features may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more people with treatable NPH get the right diagnosis and avoid unnecessary or ineffective shunt surgeries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows MRE can distinguish NPH from healthy volunteers and from Alzheimer’s clinical syndrome, but using it to reliably predict shunt outcomes is still new and being developed.
Where this research is happening
ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES
- MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER — ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MURPHY, MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER — MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- Study coordinator: MURPHY, MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease